A simple word that describes this book: EMPOWERMENT !!

🧡 Name: Furia.
🧡Author: Yamile Saied Méndez
🧡 Release Date: Sep / 15/2020.
🧡Editorial: Algonquin Young Readers
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🧡Personal opinion: This novel was a roller coaster of emotions, the story is very well told, I couldn't stop reading once I started.

I really liked Camila as the main character, she is a girl with a passion for sports, strong, fierce and Latina. You connect with her, with her personality and how little by little she is fighting for her dreams.
I loved the romantic part, I enjoyed reading it, you fall in love with Diego! 🙊

This book has many factors that I loved but one of the ones that I would highlight the most is that the book is feminist. Camila is one of the feminists who has the green flag, fighting for the rights of women in Argentina, not only for those of women but also for hers, she fights to fulfill her dreams, it empowers you to read it.

I'm not a football fan 🥅 ⚽️
But Camila had a great talent and wanted to read more of her in the field being Fury!
I could tell this book is great, from the cover to the story.
Thanks netgalley for my advanced copy it was a great read.

🧡Rating: 5 / 5⭐️

This is the first time I've read a book where I can truly see myself. I'm not Argentinian and have never lived in Argentina, but Argentinian culture is close to Chilean. I'm familiar with Argentina also because I grew up close to the Argentinian-Chilean border, so I would travel there all the time.

I loved this book so much. It follows Camila as she tries to accomplish her dream of playing fútbol professionally. Even if you don't really like fútbol (I like watching it but you will never see myself playing it), this story is still amazing. It is about trying to accomplish your dreams even when society tells you that it isn't possible

Camila has it tough, not even her parents know she wants to play fútbol professionally and she is constantly afraid they will find out. Plus, her only real chance of making a career out of fútbol is if she can play in the USA. Camila is such a great character and I was cheering for her throughout the whole book.

There is some romance in the book which played a part bigger than what I expected, but it was still key to the whole plot. I won't mention spoilers I will say that for a teenager, Camila really knows what she wants out of life. She has an energy that motivates her that is unstoppable, and I wish I had a quarter of her determination.

The book also deals with the Ni Una Menos movement, which is a feminist movement, also present in Chile, that seeks to stop violence against women, specifically, the murder of women at their hands of their husbands, boyfriends, or other close men. This is one of the main reasons I loved this book. Other books that I have read that deal with feminism usually tackle it under a different lens, which seems to be the American one. Here, I could see the feminism that deals with the concerns we have in my country, which was a first.

This book is overall a great YA book and I would recommend it to every teenage girl I know because it is above all inspiring. It is now one of my favorite books of all-time!

I LOVED this book. Camila has so much stacked against her - but also has more support than she realizes. She works to overcome some of these odds, but some societal factors need to bend to her will, which is easier said than done. It's so easy to get caught up in the world of soccer, both professional and local, while reading, and the romance was done well, too. I can't wait to recommend this one for the soccer players - especially the girls - in my class.

*3.5*

I was so glad I had the chance to read this book because I was highly anticipating it. Furia tells the story of a girl living in Argentina, Camila, whose dream is to become a professional football player. Football though is not a sport "for women" in her country, so she has to encounter a lot of difficulties in order to follow her dream.

I loved how this work was an own-voice representation. I really appreciated how the Sudamerican culture was a big part of this book, and I have to say this was my favourite bit of the entire novel.
Also, the feminist message in this one is so on point, I found myself crying at one point for the injustice of it all. I actually cannot believe us women still have to suffer so much in order to conquer our dreams.

I really liked Camila as a main character. She was fierce, and strong, and caring for her family, while she tried to pursue her biggest dream. I rooted for her all the way, I really wanted her to fulfill her dream.

I also liked the romance part even if I have to say the reason why I lowered my book rating is because at the end of the book something that I won't mention because of spoilers happened, and it did not resonate well with me. I found it to be a little bit out of character for this one person, and it really affected my enjoyment in the romance part.

I think one of the strongest aspect of this book was the familiar one. Camila's family is not at all perfect, far from it, and I really appreciated how the young girl reacted to some aspects of her life that are quite tragic.

I also don't know anything about football, so sometimes I found myself a bit confused in the play scenes, but I liked some of them a lot and that shows how the author is very good at writing.

All in all, I would strongly recommend this one if you like a diverse contemporary with strong feminist themes and that touches really important subjects.

" I smiled and ran to the field to sing the wordless song of the captive woman who roared in my blood. My ancestresses had been waiting to sing for generations. I was their medium. "

As obsessed with football as I am, the moment I saw this book, I knew that I had to read it. I expected to enjoy it but I ended up absolutely loving it. More than being about a sport, this book delves into female empowerment and how much you're willing to fight to chase after your dreams in spite of everything and everyone trying to keep you from getting there and to live your life in your own terms. To choose yourself and believe in yourself above everyone else. I would definitely recommend this to anyone and everyone.

Thank you NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez is a fiercely feminist coming of age story set in Argentina. This own voices book follows Camila, or La Furia as she is known on the fútbol pitch , as she chases her dream of becoming a professional football player. Her conservative family and the patriarchal society she lives in in Rosario means that she is forced to lead a double life, and hide her skill and ambition. So far she has been successful, but when her team qualifies for an international tournament it seems like she will have to come clean and face the disapproval and anger of her father, and the disappointment of her mother who dreams of her daughter becoming a doctor and escaping from the poverty that she has grown up in. As if her life was not complicated enough, she is distracted by the return of her former crush, Diego, who is now a successful footballer in Italy. He is saying and doing all the right things, but does he really take her dreams as seriously as his own?
Camila is a wonderful character, feisty, determined and strong, but also compassionate and caring. I found myself captivated by her story as it unfolded and full of hope that she would succeed. The author has given her a wonderful voice. I also appreciated that she did not shy away from difficult topics in the book, talking about the dangers of physical and sexual violence towards girls and women, and the controversy surrounding reproductive rights. For those of you hesitant to pick up a book about football, I urge you to reconsider, yes it plays a large part in the book, but since the setting is Argentina , a country where the sport and it's masters are almost worshipped like gods, it feels very natural, and creates a real sense of what life there is like.
The romance is sweet and complicated and beautifully handled, but it was the relationships between women in the book that really stood out for me. Camila's support from her coach is beautifully reflected in her relationship with the little girl she tutors, and her friendships with the other girls on the team felt incredibly real and honest but my favourite was the changing and developing relationship Camila had with her mother over the course of the book. I love how that character was allowed to grow in a way that felt natural, and become the support that Camila deserved all along. I am sure that the ending may divide some readers, but I thought it fit the book perfectly.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

As someone who is also trying to make their way in their sport, the premise of Furia drew me in right away. Camila is such a spunky character whose voice you enjoy from the very first chapter. Her determination and drive for her dreams are inspiring. The way Camila chooses to love herself and go after everything she wants is ground-breaking. It's been a long time since I've read a book where the MC unapologetically goes after what she wants. I loved the relationship shown with her family and the people around her. Some of the relationships were complicated but she loves every one of them. This is was the first book I've read in a long time where there was such a complicated parent relationship. I highly enjoyed that. The romance!!! I am a big sap FYI. I enjoyed the romance so much. The complications of it all, from beginning to end gave me life.

I couldn't put Furia down. The writing was smooth and flowing and Camila's narration was *chef's kiss.* I enjoyed seeing Aregntinain culture from a native perspective. The undercurrent message of women's rights and the abuse some women have to endure in Argentina was heartbreaking and inspiring. I LOVED seeing that throughout the book. The friendship of the women on the team, Roxanne & Camila's, and even the other teams they competed against were touching. I loved how Mendez showed how catty women can be to each other and how Camila's view on her competitors changed throughout the book. Women carried Furia. The women in Camila's life have the most impact, and it shows throughout the book. Camila's mother's growth was everything I needed to see.

The ending of the book had me shook. I hated it and I loved it. I couldn't put Furia down. I adored everything about Camila, the world, and Furia.

This is about much more than football (aka soccer). Camila "La Furia" is talented to be sure but she's got to keep her ability shadowed from her dreadful parents. Now, though, she has a chance to showcase for scouts and the possibility to join a team so she must fess up. Luckily, she has the support of her brother and her friend Roxana. AND then, her love interest Diego comes back to town. What will she do? Well, know that this has some good lessons for the YA crowd about being your true self and following your dreams. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Camila is a strong, well written character and this is a good read.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I was swept away by Camila’s journey to fully embrace her dreams, and once I started, I couldn’t put it down. While she struggles with the fact that “lies have short legs,” la Furia fights against patriarchal views on women playing fútbol, the way her father treats his family, and the love of a childhood friend. She resists the urge to give up in hopes of making the world a better place for the young children she tutors, but it feels like the odds are stacked against her at every turn.

This story is a beautiful reminder about the power of friendship and the strength of women to fight for what we love.

Wow, this was such a great read! I lOVED the female protagonist, Camilla Hassan, who wants to become a professional football player and tries her hardest to be able to follow her dream. Camilla is such a strong and empowering character who doesn't want anyone to save her but herself. She struggles with emotional and physical abuse, domestic violence and the hardships of being a woman. The novel discusses these hardships and even though it made me emotional, I think it's so so so important to read about. I feel like this book will be such a great influence on young girls everywhere and I love the novel for it. I can't recommend this book enough. Please pre-order it! It's worth it!

Trigger warnings: emotional and physical abuse, death, domestic violence.

Thank you to NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Furia
Author: Yamile Saied Méndez
Genre: YA
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Camila Hassan lives a double life. At home, she is a careful daughter, living within her mother’s narrow expectations, in her rising-soccer-star brother’s shadow, and under the abusive rule of her short-tempered father. On the field, she is La Furia, a powerhouse of skill and talent. When her team qualifies for the South American tournament, Camila gets the chance to see just how far her talents can take her. In her wildest dreams, she’d get an athletic scholarship to a North American university, but the path ahead won’t be easy. Her parents, who don’t know about her passion, wouldn’t allow a girl to play fútbol—and she needs their permission to go any farther. Meanwhile, the boy she once loved, Diego, is not only back in town, but has also become an international star, playing in Italy for the renowned team Juventus. Things aren’t the same as when he left: Camila has her own fútbol ambitions now, and La Furia cannot be denied. As her life becomes more complicated, she is forced to face her secrets and make her way in a world with no place for the dreams and passion of a girl like her.

This is an excellent read! The setting comes to life on the page—even for someone who’s never seen an Argentina barrio—and the picture of life there is hard and dark, but with glimmers of light in unexpected places.

Camila is tough as nails, and she keeps her soft spots hidden from everyone: her parents, her friends, even Diego. I loved reading about her determination to succeed, no matter what obstacles stand in her way.

Yamile Saied Méndez is from Argentina but now lives in Utah. Furia is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Algonquin Young Readers in exchange for an honest review.)

Synopsis:

A powerful, #ownvoices contemporary YA for fans of The Poet X and I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter set in Argentina, about a rising soccer star who must put everything on the line—even her blooming love story—to follow her dreams.

In Rosario, Argentina, Camila Hassan lives a double life.

At home, she is a careful daughter, living within her mother’s narrow expectations, in her rising-soccer-star brother’s shadow, and under the abusive rule of her short-tempered father.

On the field, she is La Furia, a powerhouse of skill and talent. When her team qualifies for the South American tournament, Camila gets the chance to see just how far those talents can take her. In her wildest dreams, she’d get an athletic scholarship to a North American university.

But the path ahead isn’t easy. Her parents don’t know about her passion. They wouldn’t allow a girl to play fútbol—and she needs their permission to go any farther. And the boy she once loved is back in town. Since he left, Diego has become an international star, playing in Italy for the renowned team Juventus. Camila doesn’t have time to be distracted by her feelings for him. Things aren’t the same as when he left: she has her own passions and ambitions now, and La Furia cannot be denied. As her life becomes more complicated, Camila is forced to face her secrets and make her way in a world with no place for the dreams and ambition of a girl like her.

Filled with authentic details and the textures of day-to-day life in Argentina, heart-soaring romance, and breathless action on the pitch, Furia is the story of a girl’s journey to make her life her own.

Review: I get goosebumps just thinking about this book now that I have read it. All the advance praise is completely on point. Honestly I’m a little worried my review won’t do the book justice. I was completely hooked from beginning to end, and when I wasn’t reading I genuinely missed Camila. Yamile has written a book that makes you fall in love with the story and completely empathise with the characters. This was an emotional book for me, everything is so descriptive and detailed I always felt like I was with Camila wherever she went.

This is the coming of age story that the Latinx community has been waiting for. An own voices book that everybody will fall in love with. I have absolutely no background knowledge of soccer or football but I was able to picture the scenes accurately despite my lack of background knowledge. What brilliant writing!

Trigger warning: This book discusses, sometimes in graphic detail, domestic violence. If anybody would like to read this book but is sensitive to violent scenes I’d be more than happy to provide more detail and which characters are involved and when it occurs in the book. It’s not often, but it is a constant theme that is discussed. Additionally, the word rape is mention by the main characters father.

It has been an absolute pleasure to be part of the blog tour for Fura, and thank you to Algonquin publicity for hosting and organising the tour. Also, many thanks to Algonquin for including me, and providing me with an advanced copy of the book as part of my involvement in the blog tour.

5/5 Stars

A massive and grateful thank you to Algonquin & Algonquin Young Readers for this advance copy of this beautiful book. Oh, Furia. What a female, what an athlete, what a force - and what a story. I loved watching Camila find her way - learning how to use her voice in her own challenging home life and how to shine as Furia on the futbol field. She wanted HER dreams and didn't accept the easy way out of anything less, and I think YA and adult readers alike can learn so much from her fearless spirit and grace and the commitment to being her true self. I loved this book!

This was so good! Such a beautiful and heartwarming story, and the whole journey made me root for Camila and her dreams. We see the MC try to balance career, love, and family, and we see how unfair it can be for women whether it be in sports or on life. The writing was good, but I feel like it lacked something. I feel like I also wanted more action-packed sports scenes. Still, this was a great read! Full review soon!

Thank you Algonquin Young Readers for sending the e-arc my way!

Furia is an amped up coming-of-age novel following Camila, an Argentinian living a double life. Balancing her family’s expectations with her passion for fútbol and dreams of being an international star, Camila also has to tackle her feelings for Diego, the boy she once loved who is already a celebrated rising star athlete.

The overall message of Furia is one of empowerment and recognizing the power that one holds within themself, however throughout there is heavy content presented that is not always easy to read. Camila, her family, and the community face harsh realities and some content warnings to be aware of include domestic violence, physical/emotional abuse, misogyny, and abduction/murder.

My only complaint about the novel is that a few of the side stories came off as rushed or lacked clarity and/or resolution, but overall I was impressed by the depth of the story. I would love to revisit these characters if there is ever a sequel or spinoff created.

Furia is a must read for YA fans of all ages and those looking for a compelling story that provides authentic cultural contex. Furia would be an especially valuable addition to school and public libraries due to the #ownvoices representation it provides Latinx readers. Also, just to note that while there are plenty of sports references throughout (it is about a fútbol player after all), this story is so compelling that even those who aren’t sports fans will surely enjoy.

Thank you Algonquin Young Readers and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book.

"Furia" by Yamile Saied Méndez is a young adult novel about Camila Hasan, a teenager whose life is centered around navigating her life for soccer and her relationships with friends and a love interest with her controlling family. I really loved the uniqueness of this story. It intertwines Argentina's history and culture with soccer fanaticism, women's rights, and social justice. Mendez leaves the reader in suspense as to whether Camila will successfully navigate her desires for a future of her choosing with the demands place upon her by her parents, being overshadowed by her brother's fame, and a somewhat tumultuous and public relationship with Diego. "Furia" is a great book for young people while still being a fun read for those well past their teenage years. I definitely recommend checking out this book.

Well this was a powerful story about a badass lady. Pretty mind-opening reading about the abuse, murder and sexism against women in Argentina, so it was even more meaningful to see Furia and her family triumph. The football was described in a way that I didn't get lost, despite having zero knowledge about the sport, and the author did awesome at illustrating how powerful these female athletes are. Furia was believable as a strong and brave woman and I hope lots of young girls will look up to this character.

Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez is a stunning novel, full of heart and power. The main character, Camila Hassan (known as Furia on the field), was an incredible character to follow, and she felt deeply human through the entire book. Her determination, her heartbreak, and her love, both of fútbol but also of other people in her life, shone through the entire novel. I was rooting for her the entire time. And Diego! What a great character. His connection with Camila was its own wonderful story to follow that was full of romance and heartache. The novel also did a great job of following Camila's own personal journey and character arc while also dealing with heavier topics like gender based violence in a way that felt incredibly relevant, important and powerful. This book is the portrait of a young woman learning her worth and growing into her power and potential and the result is something brilliant. It is a testament to the strength of young women and how necessary it is to give girls the chance to succeed and shine.
I loved every bit of this book and couldn't put it down. It's definitely one of my favorites of 2020 and the YA genre is so lucky to have a book like this join its ranks and have a character like Camila Hassan.
I'm so excited for people to find this book and be inspired by Furia. I certainly was.

CW: emotional and physical abuse, domestic violence, sexism, death (I might have missed some, so if you're worried check out some other reviews!)

This is an empowering, feminist story about a young girl pursuing her dream in a world that constantly works against her. I really liked this book and think its message was very strong. It's also own voices!

Our main character is Camilla, an amazing soccer player who dreams of going pro, but at home, she keeps her passion a secret. I loved reading about Camilla and rooted for her at every step of the way. Her voice was great; both fun and emotional and so damned strong. Throughout the books, she faces many tough choices, and I enjoyed seeing her figure out what she wanted for her own future. I don't personally care much for soccer, but I was invested in Camilla's team's successes and losses. Though the story is a lot about soccer, it's also about so much more.

All the characters felt fleshed out and there were some great female friendships going on. Camilla's family is going through a lot of tough things, and I felt they were all handled with care and consideration. The writing flowed, and the voice felt distinct. The descriptions and just the entire atmosphere carried me all the way to South America.

Also, no spoilers, but I really loved the ending. I was suspicious of where it was going for some time, but it ended perfectly!

Review will be available on The Reading Fairy on September 12th, 2020

Actual Rating: 3.5 stars

TW: Blood, Misogyny, Sexism, fatphobia, discussions about weight, abortion (mentioned), mention of violence, mention of smoking, ableism and ableist language, malnutrition (mentioned), physical abuse, discussion of racism, animal death (on-page), child abandonment (mentioned), teenage pregnancy, bullying, homophobia, cheating, missing sibling, death of a sibling, mention of rape
Rep: Mixed Race (Latinx, Black, white) MC, Latinx cast, Indian side character, disabled side characters, sapphic romance

Disclaimer: I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. This does not affect my opinion.

Diego blinked and stared into the darkness of the kitchen. “That sometimes we’re cursed, and we can’t break free without the help of these who love us.”

I’ve been eyeing this book this book ever since I got an email from Algonquin Young Readers for a blog tour for this, and I knew I had to read it. An #Ownvoices YA Contemporary romance set in Argentina which made me really excited! And the fact that it’s a sport centered makes me even more happy!

This is my first book I read about and set in Argentina. I don’t know anything about Argentina really at all, and I love how the book is explored. I am not Latinx nor am I Argentinian so I can not comment about the rep at all, but I encourage to seek out ownvoices reviewers for this book.

The one thing that kinda threw me off a little bit, was the quite a bit of trigger warnings I found and I was not prepared for it at all. It wasn’t anything graphic at all, but some issues I really am sensitive about was talked about, and it jerked me out of the story a few times. This is why trigger warnings/content warnings are important.

Can we talk about the Spanish in this book? It wasn’t only a few words here and there. There were full blown sentences in it and I was amazed. I didn’t look what they were saying at all even though I needed too, because my Spanish sucks. I think it was kind of cool, and I hope more authors do it.

I loved Camila. Not because is is an awesome protagonist, nor that she is a fútbol player-but simply she is herself. She doesn’t change herself for a boy, nor did she chooses them-only choosing herself. It’s such a refresher because most YA protagonists always choose the Love interest, but seeing someone choose herself is excellent! We need more books in where the MC doesn’t choose the romance and doesn’t give up anything that she loves!

I love Camila’s passion for fútbol! It was shown really well on the fact she was a huge passion for it, that she is really good at it. She is known as “La Furia” on the field. I also love how her dreams co-aligned with it, and it was so cool!